Cold-hardiness in Pelecitus fulicaeatrae (Nematoda: Filarioidea), a parasite of the ankles of Fulica americana (Aves)

J Parasitol. 1992 Feb;78(1):138-9.

Abstract

The filarioid nematode Pelecitus fulicaeatrae (Diesing, 1861) is considered cold-hardy. Adults and microfilariae became motile when placed in saline at 22 C after having been removed from thawed carcasses of their host, the American coot (Fulica americana Gmelin) (Aves: Gruiformes). Adult nematodes from 5 of 12 carcasses became active as did microfilariae from 4 of 5 carcasses. Carcasses had been frozen at an undetermined temperature below 0 C for an initial 14 days and then at -21 to -24 for 100-159 days.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds / parasitology*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Filarioidea / physiology*
  • Freezing
  • Movement